There are 20 trading days in a month and here we all are sitting on our hands waiting for the FOMC and their helicopter pilot to deliberate over the base rate. How did we get in to such a silly situation? Anyone who has ever spent more than 1 hour in a meeting knows full well that the attention span starts to wane after about 40 minutes. Why can’t these guys think about it before they get there, debate for an hour and fix the rate for at least 3 months if not 6 months. If they can only see 4 weeks ahead then surely we have employed the wrong the people.

The market stagnates for 2 days while these guys deliberate, not to mention the time wasted trying to second guess the result and the post mortem afterwards. Its at least 10% of the available trading wasted every month. I would be disappointed if my kids dithered as much as this.

Is it a Boy? Is it a Girl? No, no, no, it’s a great big quarter pointer. Wow, now was that worth waiting for?

This company is the one of the largest gold miners in Canada, operating 6 mines in North and South America.

In 2005, they managed to produce 638,400 ounces of gold, and their target for this year is 529,000 ounces, which is mostly exposed to the price of gold. This year they intend to spend approximately $29 million in the exploration and development.

One of their new projects is the Camp Caiman development, which is located about 45 kilometres southeast of Cayenne, the capital city of French Guiana; a South American republic of France located on the northeastern coast between Suriname and the Brazilian border. Cambior were granted a concession by the French Government for an area of some 30 km² valid for a period of 25 years. This advanced project contains 1.2 million ounces of gold contained and is presently awaiting the issuance of permits for anticipated production in late 2007.

This project will play a major part in their efforts to hit a target of 800,000 ounces per year and a reserve base of 8 million ounces.Having recorded record profits of $20.2 million in 2005 at an average cost of $284, this year the cost of production is estimated to be in the order of $294 per ounce. To invest in Cambior is to invest in their management team and their ability to explore and mine. Although Cambior used to pay a dividend this will not be possible in the near term due to restrictions placed on the company by its lenders. You are not investing in Cambior for income but for growth.

The company is currently trading at $2.61 and has a Market Capitalisation of $716 million and a P/E ratio of 29. We think it is a good buy at this level and we intend to accumulate more over the summer. By September these prices could be history.

Cambior's shares trade on the Toronto (TSX) and American (AMEX) stock exchanges under the symbol "CBJ". Cambior's warrants, (CBJ.WT.C) and (CBJ.WT.D) trade on the TSX.

Kinross Gold Corp is now the seventh largest primary gold producer in the world with approximately 1.6 million ounces of yearly gold production. Kinross has a no-gold hedging policy, which means you as an investor have the benefit of being exposed to gold price. The volatility of the gold price will directly affect the price of this stock so you must be prepared to ride out the pullbacks and enjoy the advances. This company is actively looking to expand through exploration and acquisition.

Kinross has a Market Capitalisation of $3.48 billion and recently traded at a high of $13.0 before the correction in gold prices, which pulled the stock back to the $9.0 level. This stock has stabilised and is currently priced at $10.08. Kinross is traded on the TSE as K and on the NYSE as KGC.

Looking at the chart, Kinross has bounced from its 200 day moving average, which in our opinion shows the strength of the stock. It may become cheaper over the summer however we are happy to accumulate at these levels.

US Gold is a small cap gold exploration company, based in Nevada, which has been home to mining for over 150 years. The company has been around for over 25 years however it went through a relatively static period in the 1990’s. This was to continue until Rob McEwen joined the company as Chairman and CEO, shortly after he purchased 33% of the company in July 2005.Rob McEwen is the founder of Goldcorp Inc, which is now the lowest cost gold producer in the world, with a cash cost of $25 per ounce. Rob McEwen took Goldcorp form a market capitalisation of $50 million to over $7 billon and the company now produces about 1 million ounces of gold per year. However he has now turned his attention to US Gold and has said that US Gold, “are looking for Nevada’s next major gold discovery”. McEwen has over 29 years experience with the resource industry and an excellent track record, backing this venture. So far he has taken the company’s share price from 30 cents to over $10, a spectacular start. However some believe that this is only the beginning with many speculating that McEwen intends to create another Goldcorp, which is currently trading near $30 per share.

US Gold’s exploration program is based on the Cortez trend in Nevada. If Nevada was to be considered as a separate country, it would be the world’s third largest producer behind South Africa and Australia. Nevada’s gold makes up 10% of world production and 75% of America’s production. It is home to some to world most senior mining companies and largest gold deposits.

US Gold’s Tonkin Springs property is situated on 36 sq miles of Nevada’s Cortez Trend, close and parallel to the Carlin Trend, home to numerous gold deposits of up to 39 million ounces. The company in consolidating the trend as it intends to acquire four other companies in the region.In the last year this stock has done incredibly well, rocketing to $10.30 from $0.35 and the recent consolidation in US Gold’s stock price was to be expected after such a fantastic rally. However this presents as excellent buying opportunity at its current price of $8.40

You should never fall in love with a stock but this is one of our favourites. We first bought this stock in 1982, and have traded it ever since then. Despite a twenty-year bear market in gold they not only survived but also managed to pay a dividend every year, which is a remarkable achievement.Agnico-Eagle's LaRonde Mine in Quebec is Canada's largest gold deposit and forms the basis of their cash flow; they also have advanced-stage projects in Mexico, Finland, and the USA.

Agnico does not forward sell any of gold thus investors are exposed to the prevailing spot price at the time of production. In general unhedged mining companies offer greater potential for growth. This company fits our investment criteria in that it has a large land bank, which provides the opportunity for growth, international diversification, low cost operations and most importantly, an experienced mining and management team. Agnico-Eagle also has the finance in place to fund its investment strategy.

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited recently reported first quarter earnings of $37.2 million, or $0.35 per share. This compares extremely well to net earnings of $10.4 million, or $0.12 per share, in the first quarter of 2005.

The recent run up in the gold price helped push Agnico’s stock price to a high of $42, before correcting to around $22 per share. When we look at the charts this stock would appear to have bottomed with the downside risk being minimal and the upside being potentially explosive.

Between now and the end of August, seasonally a slow time for gold prices, could present us with an opportunity to acquire this stock for sub $30. If so then buy and hang on for the ride.

The driving force behind a gold bull is of course the key fundamentals backing it. However a key metric in determining relative future gold prices is the ratio between the gold price and the Dow Jones Industrial Average. How many ounces of gold does it take to buy the Dow Jones?

Over the last century or so, there have been three periods where 1 ounce or 2 ounces of gold could buy the Dow Jones Index. It began in 1897, when the ratio was 1:1. Then in 1929, just before the Wall Street Crash, it took 18 ounces of gold to by the Dow. Three years later it took two ounces of gold to buy the Dow Jones.In 1966, it surged to 28 ounces and by 1980, one ounce of gold bought the DJIA. However in July of 1999, it took 44 ounces to buy the DJIA. This was at the height of the dotcom explosion.It now takes 19 ounces to buy the Dow Jones, with the index trading around 11,000.

There are many ways that you can interpret this ratio, to predict the height of the gold prices in this bull market.

· The DJIA/Gold ratio pattern is 1:1, 1:2, 1:1 and so the next ratio could be 1:2. Two ounces to buy the Dow Jones· If you ignore the 1897 data, the DJIA/Gold ratio pattern is 1:2, 1:1 and so the next ratio will be 1:0.5, it will take half an ounce of gold to buy the Dow Jones· The average of all the ratios is 1:1.333. So in future one and a third ounces of gold will by the Dow Jones

Of course this is only half of the equation. To make it complete you need the value of the DJIA. In previous situations, such as 1929, the Dow has fallen to meet the gold price. However in the recession during the 1960’s and 1970’s, the DJIA did not fall dramatically to meet gold, but gold prices rose to meet it.So what could happen?

· The DJIA crashes and loses 90% of its value (as it did in 1929) leaving it at around 1100 and it falls to a ratio with gold of: 1:2=$550 1:1=$1100, 1:0.5=$2200· The DJIA halves to 5500 and gold rises to meet it at a ratio of: 1:2=$2250, 1:1=$5500, 1:0.5=$11000· The DJIA stays around its current value (at it did during the 60’s and 70’s) and gold rises to equal the Dow at a ratio of: 1:2=$5500, 1:1=$11000, 1:0.5=$22000

The Dow Jones is unlikely to lose 90% of its value and replicate the 1929 crash, as this was largely affected by WW1 debt. Therefore, whatever ratio or Dow value you choose, gold prices should be significantly higher over the coming years.

Silverado is small cap gold exploration company with focus on their Nolan Gold project in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The Nolan Gold project contains a variety of high-class gold nuggets. In fact, 98% of the gold recovered is of jewellery quality. Therefore Silverado have been gaining an average premium of 67% on their gold sales. Therefore their gold is currently selling for around $1000/oz. This means that if gold prices go up $100, Silverado’s gold is worth $167 more. This means that they benefit more from rising gold prices and are protected from any possible decrease in the gold price as they will still receive the high quality premium.

Another interesting spin to this company is that they are currently working on a coal-based alternative fuel. This environmentally friendly fuel would act a replace for oil. Oil reserves are rapidly disappearing, however the USA has over 200 years worth of coal.

This is a good company with nearly 20 years of experience of gold exploration in Alaska and an exciting alternative fuel development program.

Bema Gold Corporation is a mid sized gold producer with a market Capitalisation of $2 billion. At the time of writing it is trading at $4.56 in New York, it also trades on the TSX as BGO and on the AIM market in London as BAU.Bema is one of the world’s fastest growing gold producers with projected production of one million ounces of gold annually by 2009.Bema operates in Russia, South Africa, Chile and Russia. As an unhedged miner Bema’s stock price is sensitive to gold’s movement. This is a well-managed company with terrific potential for growth as the gold price rises.

Gold is money. Gold is a true store of wealth and has been used as such for thousands of years when other currencies have come and gone. Gold is now in the ascendancy along with gold producers, mining and exploration companies.

The reasons for this gold price increase are as follows:

· No new large discoveries of gold deposits dampening supply· Lack of previous investment for gold exploration· It takes up to 10 years to bring a new mine to production· Falling gold production worldwide adding to its scarcity· Gold EFTs take gold off the market thus reducing supply· In the last Bull Run 70s to 80s gold prices increased 20 fold· Metrics: DJIA vs. Gold, about 19ozs buys the dow jones, it has been 1:1 in the past and could be again in the future. Assuming the dow jones remains above 10,000 then the gold price could hit $10,000· Gold at its previous high of $850 adjusted for inflation puts the gold price at $2000 plus· Geopolitical uncertainty, a nuclear Iran creates world tension which pushes up the price of gold· A Dictatorial South America imposing restrictions such as increased taxation and nationalisation will deter investment and reduce gold production· India is growing and the sleeping dragon of China has awoken, their hunger for gold will drive gold prices higher· Internet: information travels around the world in a nano-second, reactions to news, true or false, will add to the volatility of the gold price· Web trading: increasing everyday, resulting in the trends being more exaggerated than ever before· The mania that I traded in during the last Bull market will be nothing compared to the coming Gold price explosion and maniacal actions of traders and everyday people in the precious metals sector.